For most people, the thought of spiders🕷conjures up images of fearsome, venomous, dangerous, harmful and aggressive creatures. However, it is definitely one of the most misunderstood groups in the world. Today, let’s clear up the misconception and reveal the mysterious side of spiders.🧐
Pantropical huntsman spider, 𝘏𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘥𝘢 𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢 (Linnaeus, 1767) is a large brown spider with a flattened body. It has hairy long-legged with black spots. The average body length is 2.2 to 2.8 cm and the leg span is 4 to 5 times larger and up to 12 cm. It belongs to the Sparassidae family, known as the Giant Crab Spiders due to their legs spreading forward like a crab.🦀 The pantropical huntsman spider is found in tropical and subtropical regions and if you look for it in Hong Kong, you will have a chance to encounter it in bushes, on farmland, railing or even at home!🏠
𝘏. 𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢 is nocturnal🌑 (active at night). Its flattened body enables it to hide into small cracks to hide during the day and hence it is perfectly adapted to our habitation. That’s why it is hard for you to notice their presence. Don’t be scared though! Despite being suspicious-looking, they are actually friendly neighbours and will provide you with some great services. You see, this species is a good pest control agent feeding on numerous domestic insects such as mosquitoes🦟, ants🐜, moths as well as your favourite cockroaches. On the other hand, they will very rarely show aggressiveness against humans, so maybe it is time to consider keeping a house spider! If you worry about the webs🕸, well don’t! Not all spider species would build a web to catch prey and this species will not decorate your home with its own touch of silk. Without a web, does it mean that the pantropical huntsman spider is incapable of hunting? Not at all, instead, it relies on other strengths such as its great speed and strong chelicerae (jaws) allowing the capture of prey. It also uses subterfuges such as its white streaks under the eyes that reflect the light in order to attract moths.
But not just moths are worth attracting. Sometimes a male also wants to get the attention of females. Then the pantropical huntsman spider presents a unique courtship behaviour. When a male smells the pheromone of a female, it performs a vibration to attract the female spider. The male then uses its legs🦵🏻to produce a fantastic performance made of low-frequency sounds made of ‘buzzing’ and ‘humming’. The attempt of the male huntsman spider is not in vain since the female is a particularly caring mother.🤱🏻 After mating, the female will build a flattened egg sac to take care of its babies. The egg sac is about 1.5 cm in diameter and can contain over 200 eggs! It is wrapped in white silk and is carried under the body. Maybe the style for the next season in Louis Vuitton.
𝘏. 𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢 may not be the most attractive species but it is one with fascinating biology and of great importance in the ecosystem (and our houses). Once again, beauty in nature is not just a question of looks.🤩
Text: Edmond Lee
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